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V for Vendetta

For a short summary on the movie check out this. I do not intend to summarize the movie here but merly take a few points and see where they lead in relation to theology.

“V for Vendetta is the most explicitly anti-Christian movie to date. It’s set Britain, 20 years in the future, ruled by a murderous regime of Christian fanatics. (Would Warner Brothers distribute a film about Britain becoming an Islamic republic?)”full article in an article entitled The Media's War on the "War on Christians" Conference

It seems like there has been a lot of argument in the Christian circle over whether or not Christians should watch the movie V for Vendetta. In light of the above quote one might think that this movie is just taking hacks at Christianity. My question is are the hacks warranted?

The movie has this to say about America: “Did you like that? USA... Ulcered Sphincter of Ass-erica, I mean what else can you say? Here was a country that had everything, absolutely everything. And now, 20 years later, is what? The world's biggest leper colony. Why? Godlessness. Let me say that again... Godlessness. It wasn't the war they started. It wasn't the plague they created. It was Judgement. No one escapes their past. No one escapes Judgement. You think he's not up there? You think he's not watching over this country? How else can you explain it? He tested us, but we came through. We did what we had to do. Islington. Enfield. I was there, I saw it all. Immigrants, Muslims, homosexuals, terrorists. Disease-ridden degenerates. They had to go. Strength through unity. Unity through faith. I'm a God-fearing Englishman and I'm goddamn proud of it!”

The government in V is led by a Christian fundamentalist that’s theme is “Strength through unity! Unity through faith!” The government sensors everything from music and books to antiques. My take of the government in the video was that it was an example of what people can do with Christianity on a political level to justify things. Some may see this as an attack on Christianity, I see it as a truth that needs to be said. How many people use Christianity to back up there beliefs or to justify what they want to do. It’s rather disgusting. The movie has errie similarities to what the American government could become if fundamentalist Christians took over. Look at the above quote, that’s calling for censorship right there. People use Christianity to fight for or against women, homosexuality, violence, war….they can twist the bible to find any position they want.

2 Peter 2:1-3 “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bring swift destruction on themselves.”

Who are the false prophets among us? Joel Olsteen who preaches the health and wealth gospel ignoring the cross? The emergents who appear to be to radical? The fundamentalists who don’t think Christians should watch popular media? George Bush? Me?

Disclaimer: This is just one part of a very complex movie that I tried to tackle because it resounded the most with my thinking recently. I don’t claim it was the point of the movie or the authors intention but rather just a thought I had while watching it.

“We are told to remember the idea, not the man, because a man can fail. He can be caught, he can be killed and forgotten, but 400 years later, an idea can still change the world. I've witnessed first hand the power of ideas, I've seen people kill in the name of them, and die defending them...” -Evey

posted by Kerry at 10:59 AM | 3 comment(s)